Small-sided games library
Jungle Shooting 3-on-2
A representative shooting game. Shooters never shoot in a predetermined way in a game, so here they move, drive and pass to find their threes against live defenders.
- 5 players
- 1 basket
- Offense
- Shooting
Quick rules
Run It in 30 Seconds
- Three shooters start anywhere around the three-point line, with two defenders in random spots. The offense has two basketballs.
- When the timer starts, both teams stay in their roles continuously for 60 seconds.
- The offense can only shoot threes, but can move, drive and pass. The defense tries to block shots and steal passes.
- Both teams rebound, and play continues as soon as the ball is cleared outside the three-point line.
- The offense wins with five BRADs or swishes in 60 seconds. The defense wins with a combination of three turnovers and blocked shots.
From our guide to Basketball Coaching Courses.
Setup, Constraints and Explanation
Setup
Jungle shooting is a great example of a representative shooting activity, replicating the fact that shooters will never shoot in a predetermined manner within the game. Three shooters will start at any location around the 3PT line, with two defenders positioned in a random location. The offense begins with two basketballs. As soon as the timer starts, offense and defense stay in their same roles continuously for 60 seconds. The offense can shoot only threes, but can move, drive, and pass. The defense attempts to block shots and steal passes whenever the opportunity arises. Both offense and defense rebound the shot attempts. The offense wins if they score five BRADs or swishes within 60 seconds, while the defense wins if they achieve a combination of three turnovers and blocked shots.
Constraints
- Change the number of players and basketballs (e.g. four shooters, three defenders with two, three, or four basketballs).
- Constrain the triggers the offense can use, for example, flare screens, exit screens, gets.
- Change the scoring system for the defense to win, for example, two successful traps/ blitzes.
- Reduce the playing space available (e.g. half of the half-court).
- Allow the offense to also score rim finishes.
- Constrain the areas where the defense can play (e.g. one in the paint, two on the perimeter).
- Play loud music or artificial crowd sounds.
Explanation
Three offensive players and two defenders will stay in the same roles continuously for one minute. The offense can only shoot 3PTs using the two basketballs in play, but can drive, pass, and move as normal. The defense’s job is to attempt to get a combination of three blocked shots or forced turnovers within the time period, while the offense aims to score five BRADs or swishes. On rebounds and turnovers, both offense and defense can rebound and then immediately keep playing once the ball is cleared outside the 3PT line.
From Transforming Basketball (2024) by Alex Sarama, chapter 8, pp. 271 to 272.
Make It Easier or Harder
Change one constraint at a time, watch what it does, then decide what comes next. The book's test is that the challenge point should be “just right” as opposed to being too easy or too hard. If players can't find a solution, take a constraint away rather than taking the defense away.
Adjustments from Our Guide
- Change the numbers, such as four shooters and three defenders with two, three or four basketballs.
- Constrain the triggers the offense can use, such as flare screens, exit screens or gets.
- Reduce the space to half of the half court, or let the offense also score rim finishes.
- Play loud music or crowd noise.
From our guide to Basketball Coaching Courses.
Guides That Use This Game
Related Games
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- Mosquito Shooting 1-on-1Repetition without repetition in shooting: every shot comes from a new spot, range and pass, with a defender trying to put the shooter off.
- Battleship 3-on-3Start dominoes out of one trigger from different spots, against a defense that knows what you need.
- Around the Arc 1-on-1The offense deceives a trailing defender and keeps the advantage; the defender recovers to neutral.
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